UFC.com is reporting that Wilson Gouveia (9-4) will fight Jason Lambert (23-6) at UFC 80: “Rapid Fire,” setting up a light heavyweight showdown that was supposed to happen at UFC 76: “Knockout” back in September.
The original match up was postponed because Gouveia suffered a severe nose break training for the bout. Now he appears to be fit and his opponent has remained unchanged.
Since a unanimous decision loss to Keith Jardine in his Octagon debut at The Ultimate Fighter (TUF) 3 Finale, Gouveia is on a three-fight win streak inside the Octagon.
The American Top Team-trained Brazilian jiu-jitsu specialist will make to look to make it four in a row against Lambert after finishing Wes Combs, Seth Petruzelli and Carmelo Marrero all by way of submission.
“The Punisher,” however, has not been submitted since 2001. And he demonstrated solid submission defense during his last bout with Babalu — one of the best grapplers in the sport — to survive the first round en route to a knockout finish at UFC 68: “The Uprising” in March.
This booking completes the nine-fight card. It also means that heavyweight Mirko Cro Cop will more than likely not compete at the Metro Radio Arena in Newcastle, England, on January 19. The Croatian speculated (incorrectly) that he could return on for this event.
For the latest rumored UFC 80 fight card click here (Note: The UFC has now made several rumored bouts official.)
14 Comments »
i was hoping to see this in sept in anaheim but i think this will be on main card in jan but i am looking forward to this one.
I have been wondering where Lambert has been and when he was going to see action. I think the move to middleweight would be easy for him if he got in shape and could lose the belly. At 185, he has potential to be dangerous. At 205, way back in the depth chart.
Wilson’s real tough dude.
Wilson has really toplevel BJJ..but Jason is no bum..should but a good to see..in their contrast of styles is what can make this a must see fight.
Wilson Gouveia all the way in this one! IF the odds are relatively close to even, I will put money on Wilson.
Both of these guys are tough tough tough dudes. This is going to make a fight, because as we know, styles make fights. Well that’s what we got here. I am a fan of Jason Lambert, but I think he gets submitted here in this one.
The winner, will have to be in the top 10 of the Light Heavyweights.. Has to.
Great fight! A top submission guy vs. a guy who can avoid submissions. I was really impressed by Lambert avoiding Babulu’s subs, and finishing him. However, Wilson has always impressed me. If he had been in better cardio condition, he would have beaten Jardine. If he beats Lambert, look for him becoming Rashad’s first upcoming loss.
wilson will not beat jl. if babulu could get jason’s back and still not sub him how does anyone expect gouveia to do it?
and i can’t see jason cutting to 185. he seems really comfortable at lhw. does sherdog still have him in the top 10?
Nice belly on Lambert.
Wilson Gouveia will be just another highlight reels knock out for the punisher ow yah !!!!! case in point babalu great bjj got knock the f**k out and i agree with pjj that he should try to move down to 185
I like gouveia alot. Very good submissions, durablr chin, and he has punishing leg kicks i think he will take this one. 2nd rnd sub.
lambert please move to 185!!!
I’m going for Wilson Gouveia on this one, not a fan at all of lambert.